Four foreign nationals allegedly involved in telecommunications fraud, online gaming scams and other illicit activities in Pampanga have been arrested, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Operatives from the Regional Intelligence Operations Unit 3 (RIOU-3) conducted an enforcement operation on 18 February in a residential area in Barangay Pampanga, Angeles City.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado and Intelligence Division Chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said the operation was carried out in coordination with the Philippine National Police–Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), following intelligence reports that the suspects were engaged in telecommunications fraud, online gaming scams, and a kidnapping-for-extortion scheme.

Authorities identified the arrested individuals as Japanese nationals Oi Riho, 27; Moriyama Yu, 31; and Kato Hiroaki, 42; and Chinese national Wang Xinyu, 32.

Two of the suspects reportedly attempted to flee by boarding a vehicle but were immediately intercepted by agents conducting the operation.

The four individuals failed to present passports or valid identification documents. Immigration records showed that Oi and Kato were overstaying and undocumented.

Moriyama was cited for harboring illegal aliens and for being undocumented, while Wang was charged with overstaying, being undocumented, and being an undesirable alien.

During an investigation conducted in the presence of representatives from the Japanese Embassy, the suspects denied involvement in the kidnapping and extortion allegations but admitted participating in scamming and online gaming fraud operations allegedly based in Angeles City.

Intelligence information also identified Wang as the alleged logistics head of the scam hub, responsible for training personnel and managing operational requirements.

The suspects were informed of their constitutional rights in a language they understood and were brought to the RIOU-3 office for documentation before being transferred to the BI Warden Facility at Camp Bagong Diwa.

Viado reiterated the agency’s firm stance against foreign nationals exploiting Philippine territory for criminal enterprises.

“We will not allow the Philippines to be used as a breeding ground for scam hubs, kidnapping schemes, and transnational fraud operations,” he said.

“Foreign syndicates who think they can hide behind tourist visas or expired documents should think again. We are working closely with foreign governments and local law enforcement, and we will hunt you down,” he added.